Hundreds dead in Pakistan rains

24 Jun, 2007 14:27 / Updated 17 years ago

228 people have been killed after heavy rains and thunderstorms hit Pakistan's southern port of Karachi on Saturday. A large part of Pakistan's southern capital remained without power for several hours, which sparked riots on the streets.

Aid agencies have been working to provide food and shelter for those forced to flee their homes. Dozens of people are reported to have been injured after storms battered the country's largest city for more than three hours. Initially, it was thought only around 40 had died, but the number rose rapidly after the discovery of more than 180 bodies today. Every year thousands of people are killed or left homeless across the region by monsoon rains which are vital for the area's agriculture but cause widespread destruction.